Blenheim’s William Exton (20) has become the Giltrap Group’s latest official driver, joining Liam Lawson, Shane Van Gisbergen and Matt Payne in sporting the company’s black and white logo.
Exton beat 100 aspiring young racers to win the Giltrap Motorsport junior scholarship to drive a new McLaren Artura in the GT4 Class of the GTNZ championship this summer.
He will make his debut in the SP Tools McLaren at the opening round of the Summerset GT New Zealand Championship at Taupo Motorsport Park on November 22.
The young Marlborough racer says winning the fully-funded drive in the GT4 Class is a dream come true in his quest to become a professional driver.
The 2021 Kartsport New Zealand Sprint Champion has made an impression since he graduated from cars, finishing third in the Toyota 86 Championship in his sophomore season.
“It’s a jump from an 86. It’s a lot faster. I’m very thankful I’ve driven a Porsche a few times, which is also quick. So, I’ll be able to fit right in and hit the first round running,” he says.
“William’s a great young man who showed all the qualities we sought in a scholarship winner. Aside from his talent on track, he demonstrated a hunger to learn and a genuine desire to keep developing the skills needed to achieve his goals,” Giltrap Group Motorsport general manager Hamish Miller says.
“That’s exactly what we want to see from the winner of such a scholarship that carries one of motorsport’s greatest brands.”
Exton wants to repeat Brock Gilchrist’s success in last year’s GTNZ Championship when he dominated the GT4 class. However, while Exton follows Gilchrist, he won’t inherit his car. The Giltrap Group has invested in an all-new McLaren Artura GT4 for the programme’s second iteration.
“In only its second year, we were overwhelmed by the number and quality of the applications received for the McLaren Junior Scholarship. The success of Brock last season has confirmed the unmatched value of this opportunity for a young racer,” says Miller.
With the support of SP Tools, Castrol and McLaren, the Junior Scholarship was introduced as a genuine next step for talented young racers, offering a top-level car and a professional team environment. The project aims to prepare New Zealand’s most promising drivers to take on the world.
“This is a rare opportunity for young drivers. Because it is fully funded, we only need William to bring talent; Giltrap Group provides a top car, and the team is focused on providing him with the best package to win the GT Championship GT4 class for the second year in a row,” Team manager Owen Evans says.
